NAGPUR, February 13: Former Prime Minister and BJP leader Atal Behari Vajpayee, yesterday skillfully skirted the issue of statehood to Vidarbha. When reporters met him here, he simply made a general statement about the BJP being in favour of smaller states.Vajpayee was on a hectic election tour of Vidarbha region, addressing rallies at Gondia, Akola, Wardha and Nagpur yesterday. Before addressing the public meeting here, he spoke at an impromptu press conference minutes after arriving from Wardha.The demand for a separate state of Vidarbha was revived a few years back by his own party leaders from this backward region. The demand was also endorsed by the party's national executive. But, after gaining power with the Shiv Sena in 1995, the BJP appeared to have forgotten all about its separate Vidarbha crusade. The Shiv Sena is avowedly opposed to the formation of another Marathi-speaking state.Subsequently, the Congress leaders here took up the issue. During the current election campaign too,Congressmen have been vociferously attacking the BJP for its double-speak on Vidarbha. They might not have succeeded in creating a pro-Vidarbha election wave, but the demand vis-a-vis the BJP's changing stand has come in as a handy tool for Congressmen.When questioned by reporters about this, Vajpayee appeared reluctant to answer. After a pause, he replied, ``The people of Vidarbha should reconsider the demand.'' When told that the BJP manifesto supports the demand, the leader seemed a bit confused, ``Is it the Maharashtra manifesto'' he questioned. He was informed that the `national manifesto' of his party backs the creation of Vidarbha.``Yes,'' he said thoughtfully. ``The BJP is certainly in favour of smaller states. Such demands have been coming from various states. A decision will have to be taken after weighing all the factors,'' he observed. Speaking about the outcome of the Lok Sabha elections, he reiterated his confidence over the BJP getting a clear majority. He dismissed the forecasts whichspeak of a hung Parliament yet again. He added that certain so-called survey reports cutting down the BJP's tally of seats owing to Sonia's entry, are nothing but Congress propaganda.He refused to accept that the voters are apathetic and unenthusiastic in this election. The swelling attendance at his public meetings is proof enough that the people have understood the importance of the election, he explained.
